Police have launched a manhunt for a suspected robbery syndicate accused of following bank customers before breaking into their vehicles and stealing cash along the Thika Superhighway and Eastern Bypass.
The latest incident occurred at a petrol station in Kahawa Sukari, where a 55-year-old man lost more than Ksh.100,000 after thieves allegedly smashed his car window and escaped with the money.
Highlights
- Police are pursuing a suspected highway robbery syndicate.
- The latest victim had withdrawn Ksh.100,000 from a bank in Kamakis.
- His vehicle was broken into at a Kahawa Sukari petrol station.
- CCTV footage reportedly captured the suspects during the robbery.
- Detectives are using CCTV and forensic evidence to identify the gang.
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Police Launch Manhunt
A suspected highway robbery syndicate targeting bank customers has come under intense police scrutiny following a daylight vehicle break-in in Kahawa Sukari.
Detectives and officers from Ruiru are investigating the gang, which is suspected of tracking people after they withdraw money from banks before striking at a later location.
Police believe similar incidents may have occurred along the Eastern Bypass, Thika Superhighway and areas around Ruiru and Kasarani.
Victim Followed After Bank Withdrawal
The latest incident involved 55-year-old Moses Njeru Kithaka.
According to police, Kithaka had withdrawn Ksh.100,000 from a bank in the Kamakis area before driving to a Shell petrol station in Kahawa Sukari.
He parked his vehicle and locked it before leaving to do some shopping.
When he returned roughly 30 minutes later, he discovered that the right rear window had been smashed.
The thieves had allegedly taken more than Ksh.100,000 that he had left inside the vehicle in a khaki envelope.
CCTV Captures Suspected Operation
Investigators reviewing CCTV footage reportedly observed a coordinated operation unfolding shortly after Kithaka arrived at the station.
The suspects allegedly followed the victim’s vehicle, parked close to it and quickly broke one of the windows before taking the cash.
They then fled the area towards Ruiru.
The footage has now become a key part of the investigation as detectives work to identify the individuals involved.
Detectives Examine Evidence
Officers from Kahawa Sukari Police Station, together with Crime Scene Investigation detectives, have visited the scene as investigations continue.
Police are examining the available CCTV footage alongside forensic evidence recovered from the vehicle and the scene.
Investigators suspect the incident may be linked to a wider network that monitors bank customers and tracks them after they leave financial institutions.
Authorities are now appealing to members of the public with information about the suspected gang or similar incidents to come forward.
The investigation comes amid concerns over robberies targeting motorists carrying cash along busy routes, particularly the Thika Superhighway and Eastern Bypass.
Police have urged bank customers to remain vigilant after making cash withdrawals and to report any suspicious activity that could help investigators disrupt the suspected network.
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